Championship Preview: Leeds United travel to Cardiff, Newcastle United host Wolves

This weekend’s Championship action kicks off in Wales as Cardiff City host Leeds United in Saturday’s early fixture (12:30).

The Bluebirds, who have slipped into the division’s relegation places following three straight league defeats, will be determined to pick up only their second win in eight attempts and therefore leapfrog today’s opponents in the standings.

Meanwhile Whites manager Garry Monk, who saw his men edged past rock-bottom Blackburn Rovers 2-1 on Tuesday night, will be mightily relieved to secure all three points at Elland Road last time out after recent reports suggested he was close to being sacked.

Monk’s Leeds currently hover two points above the bottom three – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

In this evening’s televised game, Birmingham City welcome Sheffield Wednesday to St Andrew’s, with both sides in-form and looking to earn a place in the Championship’s top six.

The Blues have picked up seven points in their last three league games, conceding none, with all three points against the Owls set to propel them closer to the division’s top two automatic places.

Whereas Carlos Carvalhal’s Wednesday are just a point behind Birmingham in the table, though his side are picking up momentum following slender 2-1 and 3-2 victories over Wigan Athletic and Bristol City respectively.

League leaders Huddersfield Town, who hold just a one-point lead over runners-up Newcastle United, will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they face Queens Park Rangers at home following their midweek 1-0 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.

However, 14th placed QPR may be even more determined to secure an improved result this afternoon after their 6-0 hauling to the hands of Newcastle on Tuesday night.

The impressive Magpies, who have now won five league games on the bounce, will seek a six straight win when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park later today.

Newly promoted Barnsley, who have endured a marvellous start to the 2016/17 campaign, are level on points with Newcastle (15pts) and could sneak into the top two with victory over Reading at Oakwell.

Paul Heckingbottom’s men, who won the League One play-off final back in May, face Jaap Stam’s Royals who are unbeaten in their last four games.

Fellow recently relegated sides Norwich City and Aston Villa visit Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town respectively this afternoon, with the fourth-placed Canaries looking for their third league win on the trot.

Summer signing, Ross McCormack, has scored twice in seven league outings for Villa this term – Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Alex Neil’s men, who have secured back-to-back victories over Cardiff and Wigan respectively, will be looking to maintain their push for an instant return to the Premier League this term, meanwhile Roberto Di Matteo’s Villans are searching for only their second win in eight attempts after Brentford snatched a late point (1-1) at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

At the opposite end of the standings, bottom side Blackburn are still the only Championship side looking for their first league win of the season, with Rotherham United the next outfit to visit a gloomy Ewood Park.

Owen Coyle’s Rovers, who have slumped to five defeats in their opening seven fixtures, are already three points adrift of 21st placed Derby County and need to get a positive result soon to stop the terrible rot.

Just a place above them are Wigan Athletic, who stormed to the League One title last term. However it has been far from plain sailing for the Latics this campaign, with Gary Caldwell’s men on a barren run of straight defeats.

Next up for them are Fulham at the DW Stadium, who have started the season solidly having lifted themselves up to seventh spot, with only one loss to their name so far.

The remaining ties see play-off chasing Brentford welcome Preston North End to Griffin Park, a Tammy Abraham inspired Bristol City face a struggling Derby at Ashton Gate and newly promoted Burton Albion entertain Brighton.